POPE LEO XII
FOR FUTURE REMEMBRANCE OF THE MATTER
Finally, since the exercise of supreme authority in this Congregation serves as its special strength and support and since also from its very beginning, and in conformity with its Rules, this same Charles Joseph Eugene de Mazenod has been entrusted with, it, We, in view of his personal merits, by the bestowal of Our own approval, maintain him as its Superior General.
These things We decree and sanction, and it is Our will that this Letter be now and in the future firm, valid, and efficacious, and that it possess and obtain its plenary and entire effects, and be of the fullest benefit in everything and in every place, both now and in the future, to all those to whom it is addressed.
…Given at Rome, at St. Peter’s, under the Fisherman’s Ring, on the twenty first day of March, 1826, in the third year of Our Pontificate.
Apostolic Letter of Approbation, 21 March 1826, Missions O.M.I., n° 280 (1952), pp. 568 ff.
Today the successor of Saint Eugene continues this ministry:
The Superior General is the Congregation’s living bond of unity. The example of his life, his apostolic zeal and the affection he holds for all Oblates stir the faith and charity of communities to ever greater efforts in response to the Church’s needs.
As the successor of St. Eugene de Mazenod, the Superior General will continually keep alive the missionary zeal at the heart of our charism, helping to break new ground at the service of evangelization.
CCRR, Constitution 133
